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By Gavin Kentch
The women raced a skiathlon yesterday to kick off the 2026 Winter Olympics. You can read the race writeup here, and see many fine photos here.
A press conference was held after the race with the podium finishers: Frida Karlsson, Ebba Andersson, and Heidi Weng. While I am not allowed to bring you audio directly from the mixed zone, because Olympics, I think that press conference audio is kosher. Let’s proceed for the time being as if it is, and see if anyone tells me to take this down.
Anyway, here is yesterday’s press conference. N.b. that the audio does not start right away, sorry; jump to the 1:45 mark to hear things get going. Maybe by the end of the Games I will figure out how to clip this for you? Stay tuned. For the time being, just jump to 1:45 in.
There is a lot of infrastructure and support here, again because Olympics. For example, here is OIS (Olympic Information Services) with some summarized quotes from this press conference. Good stuff.
The following is all copy and pasted from OIS:
Frida KARLSSON (SWE) – gold
On her skis:
“They are my golden pair. I’ve had them for 10 years, so I got them even before I got good. When it’s championships, they want to join.”
On beating Ebba ANDERSSON, and their hug at the finish line:
“It has been the opposite many times, so it was a very strong moment to share.”
On not checking her pulse:
“I like to go by feeling, because I think that’s the best tool to have in training.”
On Sweden’s team:
“It’s crazy that we are sending four girls (to the race) who aim for the gold medal. I think that’s pretty rare in a team.
“Together we’ve made up that feeling and hunger for the gold. When I see (world champion) Ebba winning gold, and know that sometimes I can beat her, I think it’s possible for me as well. And that’s something the whole team feels. Everyone was hungry for it and excited.”
On whether she still plans to retire after next season:
“We will see. I like to have that in mind. I really want to take care of these years. Maybe I’ll change my mind in the last race.”
On her mental strength:
“During the last years, I’ve developed a lot as a person. That’s one thing that makes me more confident going into competitions.”
Ebba ANDERSSON (SWE) – silver
On her relationship with KARLSSON:
“We have been together for many years now, at home in Sweden at Hallstaberget (a mountain in their mutual hometown Sollefteaa) and in the Swedish team. We have had a lot of fights (competitions) during many years.
“It’s like an inspiration to say that, ‘if she can do it, then maybe I can do it some day’.
“It’s good that we already have a new chance (to race) on Thursday.”
Heidi WENG (NOR) – bronze
On the classic skiing part:
“I was a little bit stressed on the uphills. I don’t know if it was the skis or if it was me, but when I started skating it was a much better feeling.”
You’re reading this on Nordic Insights, one man’s labor of love dedicated to publicizing American skiing. We started with nothing and now we’re at the Olympics. You can read more about our first three years here, and donate to the Olympics fund here. Thank you for consideration, and, especially, for reading.
